The City of Kitchener told the property owner to get a structural engineer’s assessment by the beginning of February. That didn’t happen, delayed due to a pending tax sale.

The owner eventually paid those taxes, but the city is still waiting for a structural report.

Coun. Sarah Marsh said last week that if the site remains the way it is, the city should carry out a cleanup and add the cost to the property’s taxes, similar to what happens if the city has to shovel a snow-covered sidewalk.

Still, seeing fences going up is a promising step in situation that has been stagnant for months.

Andrew Spylo, who the city names as its contact for the property, says he knows the building isn’t in great shape, but he doesn’t want to tear it down.